Perro de Agua Español of Spaanse Waterhond informatiesite

The character of the Spanish Waterdog

Origin

The Perro de Agua Español, or Spanish Waterdog, is originally used (and is still used) as fishermen’s dog, shepherd and gundog for especially waterfowl, like ducks.

When the PDAE is working as fishermen’s dog, this means that the dog puts the nets in order and dives the nets out of the water. Furthermore, the Spanish Waterdog dives up everything that falls from the boat, like tools and fishes. Also the Perro guards the catch on shore.

In Spain the Perro de Agua Español is often used as shepherd for the hurding of mostly goats. Spanish Waterdogs can bite the sheep or goats in the heels when they aren't fast enough or when they run away. Some sheep breeds (short neck breeds) are very sensitive for stress from biting shepherds. This stress can cause a hart failure / attack (Dutch sheep breeds like the Texelaars are examples of short neck breeds) In Spain, the Perro is often used for hurding 'tougher' goats.

The Spanish Waterdog is used for all the work that comes across, a real jack-of-all-trades. Even for the light catching work, work as drugs dog or rescue dog at earthquakes (the Perro is used in Mexico for this purpose); the Perro doesn't care a rap for it.

(pictures from 'El Perro de Agua Español, una raza autóctona a conservar' van Cecilio José Barba Capote en Baldomero Moreno-Arroyo, ISBN 84-922496-3-3)

Social

The Spanish Waterdog is a friendly dog, that is very keen on his family and all that belongs to this. If the dogs are raised well with other animals, dogs, cats, horses, cows and many other animals won't give problems with the Perro.

The Spanish Waterdogs are social, easy to train (they learn fast) and adapt easy. Spanish Waterdogs are playful, they play not only with humans or other dogs, but also with cats and other animals.

Spanish Waterdogs aren't dominant dogs. There is hardly difference in dominance of males and bitches. If one has only one dog, there are almost no dominance problems to be expected for males or bitches. If one has more than one Spanish Waterdog, it mostly will occur that the bitch is more dominant than the male.

The Spanish Waterdogs are no fighters in character. Barking is often the only action.

In house

Spanish Waterdogs enjoy long walks, but when there is no time for a walk, the Perro doesn't bother at all. On an apartment in the city or on a farm, the Perro has no problems.

Spanish Waterdogs aren't real guard dogs. They will bark when a stranger is entering the house or yard unallowed, but that is all the actin to be expected. Spanish Waterdogs can be a bit reserved to strangers. When the master says it's all right, the dog has no problems anymore.